A gentle breeze swept through the air.
Despite being at the peak of a snow-covered mountain, the tea pavilion did not feel cold.
Steam rose from the delicate porcelain teacups, carrying the refined elegance of an ancient civilization.
The Ancient One lifted her cup, lightly tapping the lid before speaking.
"Kagura Hitomi, what is it that you wish to know from me?"
"Hmm…" Kagura took a deep breath, calming her thoughts.
Once she had sorted through her tangled emotions, she raised her head. "I came seeking answers, Ancient One."
"I want to create an organization to protect the world. But I don't know when I can truly say that it has been 'established.'"
"At what point can an organization be considered complete?"
The Ancient One didn't respond immediately. Instead, she took a sip of tea.
"Hmm?"
Kagura tilted her head in confusion. Did this thousand-year-old woman not hear her question?
"Griffin Security Agency."
The Ancient One finally spoke, mentioning the name of Kagura's organization.
"From what I see, it's already functioning quite well. Your ideas are advanced—more so than many others who strive for peace."
"But…"
She lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Kagura.
"Your real problem isn't about establishing Griffin. It's about yourself. You're afraid. You're uncertain. You're lost."
"…You're right." Kagura nodded slowly. "I'm afraid that my presence—my actions—might bring unintended consequences to this world."
"Since I arrived here, I've changed so much—events that should have happened didn't, and things that shouldn't have occurred did. And now, after seeing the ripple effects, I'm hesitating."
"Kagura, your uncertainty comes from how you perceive yourself. You see yourself as an outsider."
The Ancient One traced a glowing line in the air with her fingers, golden sparks forming a radiant thread above the tea table.
"The past, the future, timelines, parallel universes—they all branch out endlessly with every decision made. There is no absolute right or wrong, just infinite possibilities."
"You are part of this world. Your actions aren't 'changing' it. You are simply part of its natural course."
She spread her hands, and the glowing thread expanded, revealing an enormous web of interconnected golden lines—an intricate, breathtaking display of parallel realities.
"You're worrying about a worldline that no longer exists—a world without you. It once ran parallel to this one, but it has long since diverged."
She pointed to two separate strands of the glowing web.
"Like a child learning to walk who clings to their parents, or a novice driver relying on navigation—you're holding onto the past, using it as a blueprint for your actions."
No wonder she's the Sorcerer Supreme…
Kagura gazed in awe at the golden web, each thread a different possibility, a different future.
"The cradle will fade away, childhood will end. Griffin is not lacking anything—except you."
"You've recruited powerful heroes, but you've never truly recruited yourself."
With a wave of her hand, the Ancient One dismissed the glowing web.
"You belong to this world, child. No matter what challenges the future holds, you must not blame yourself. The kindness in your heart is the very force guiding this world toward a better future."
"There is no journey without storms. And storms cannot be avoided—they can only be overcome."
The Ancient One's voice was steady. "Kagura, I cannot see your future. Even if I could, I would not tell you. But I believe that as long as you stay true to your heart and hold onto your beliefs, the world will respond to your wishes."
The wind whispered through the pavilion once more.
The steam still curled from the teacups.
The aroma of tea, a treasure passed down through a thousand years, lingered in the air—harmonious, serene, enduring.
Like a fearless traveler walking the path of life.
Steady, unyielding, ever forward.
Kagura lowered her head in thought, finally understanding the source of her inner turmoil.
She was not an outsider.
She was part of this world.
Her actions were not altering the course of reality—they were a natural part of its flow.
This was not the MCU. The Marvel universe had no Kagura Hitomi (probably…).
Though the two worlds were similar, their futures remained uncertain.
Trying to confine herself to pre-established rules only created unnecessary pressure.
A ship sailing the open sea cannot avoid storms—it can only rely on the skill and courage of its navigator.
She was no different.
The reason she hadn't completed the task of forming a superhero team wasn't because Griffin was lacking—it was because, deep down, she had been holding herself back, avoiding the limitless possibilities of the future.
She had never truly accepted herself as part of Griffin.
After a long pause, the silver-haired girl finally lifted her head and took a deep breath.
"…So that's it."
"It seems you've figured it out."
The Ancient One smiled. "You're a smart child."
"Thank you for your guidance, Master."
"There's no need for thanks."
She waved a hand dismissively. "I only nudged you in the right direction. You were the one who broke free from your own mental loop."
"Then…"
The Ancient One took a deep breath.
"Let's have a sparring match."
"…Huh?" Kagura blinked. "A… spar?"
"Indeed."
The Ancient One nodded with a smile.
"You know, Kagura, you fascinate me more than anyone else in this world."
"I cannot see your past or your future, but I can sense the purity and brilliance within you."
"So, I want to know—do you have what it takes to replace the boy who will come to me in five years? Do you have the potential to become the Sorcerer Supreme?"
"…Wait, me? The Sorcerer Supreme?"
'WHOOSH—!'
The scenery shifted in an instant.
Kagura and the Ancient One now stood on a massive circular platform, surrounded by countless distorted buildings.
The world around them had shattered and fragmented, like a kaleidoscope of warped reflections.
"Come," the Ancient One said, standing tall. "Show me your strength."
"Don't you want the power of a Sorcerer Supreme?"
[Mission Complete: Form a Superhero Team – Reward: 20QP]
............…..
[Core Upgrade Progress Increased]
[Automaton Core Level: Lv2]
[Core Upgrade Progress: 100/200]
[Sub-Core Module Activated]
[Current Sub-Core Energy: 100%]
................
[New Core Skills Unlocked]
[Puppet Form / 10QP] – Create a remotely controlled humanoid puppet based on yourself.
[Reinforced Construct Skin / 10QP] – Temporarily gain an indestructible body for 10 seconds.
[Point-to-Point Quantum Teleportation / 10QP] – Perform a targeted quantum jump
[Core Overload / 10QP] – Significantly enhance physical capabilities for 30 seconds, ignoring energy consumption.
[Warning: Core skills consume 100% energy. Use with caution.]
............…..
[New Mission: Defend New York from the Chitauri Invasion – Reward: 20QP]
[Bonus Mission: Spar with the Ancient One – Reward: 10QP]
Sub-core? What's that?
Core skills? What do those do?!
And don't think that just because you dumped a ton of system notifications on me, I wouldn't notice that you just TRICKED ME INTO FIGHTING THE ANCIENT ONE!
———————————————————————
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